AILA Welcomes President Bush's Inaugural Address

Immigration
Lawyers Applaud President Bush’s Inaugural Remarks;
Look Forward to Working with Administration

In his inaugural address,
President Bush eloquently stated how immigrants reinforce our American identity:
“America has never been united by blood or birth or soil. We are bound by
ideals that move us beyond our backgrounds, lift us above our interests and
teach us what it means to be citizens. Every child must be taught these
principles. Every citizen must uphold them. And every immigrant, by embracing
these ideals, makes our country more, not less, American.”

The President also indirectly
touched on the concepts of justice and fairness which are at the heart of the
debate about the overly harsh provisions of the 1996 immigration laws that deny
people their day in court and change the rules mid-game. President Bush said
America’s promise is “that everyone belongs, that everyone deserves a
chance, that no insignificant person was ever born,” and that “America, at
its best, is compassionate.” The President also made a “solemn pledge” to
“work to build a single nation of justice and opportunity.”

“AILA is heartened by these
words that represent a vast departure from the restrictionist rhetoric of the
past,” said Jeanne A. Butterfield, AILA’s Executive Director. “President
Bush’s appointment of a new INS Commissioner who believes and will fight for
the principles of justice, fairness, accountability and efficiency will be an
important signal to the immigrant community of his commitment to the ideals
behind his remarks.”

“We look forward to working
with the Administration on vitally important issues, including permanently
restoring Section 245(i), so that people eligible to apply for permanent
residency are not separated from their families, their communities and their
employers for up to ten years; restoring to our nation’s immigration system
American principles of law, justice and fairness; treating fairly all people
fleeing oppression and civil strife by adopting NACARA equity; and reorganizing
and adequately funding the Immigration and Naturalization Service so that it
becomes a fair and efficient agency.”